District 15 Opposes Plan To Hire Computer Teacher

June 14, 1994|By Denise Linke.

Glendale Heights — Marquardt School District 15 officials won't hire a coordinator for the district's new computer program unless teachers can prove the coordinator will help them use computers in the classroom, the Policy Committee has decided.

The coordinator's job description, as submitted by the teachers' Technology Committee, states the coordinator's main task will be to train teachers to use the computer network but doesn't state when and how training will take place, said board member Coralee Bruhl. Supt. Lawrence Golden said the coordinator will train small groups of teachers during their lunch periods in 20-minute sessions before and after school and on institute days.

"You're kidding youself if you think teachers will do this before or after school and on lunch," Bruhl said. "If there's no way to mandate that teachers attend training, hiring the coordinator won't accomplish anything.

"I'm not going to create a $30,000 position if you can't tell me when that person will fulfill the purpose of the program."

Golden said he and curriculum director Beverly Norris are studying whether the district can set up night classes for teachers to learn to use the computers. While teachers would be required to attend the classes on their own time, he said, the district could offer them continuing education credit toward salary step increases for taking the classes, he said.

The Policy Committee decided to recommend adding the position to the 1994-95 budget but not filling it until the Technology Committee submits a detailed teacher training schedule.